Russia denounced Kosovo's independence declaration Sunday, warning that the move threatened to ignite a new conflict in the Balkans and calling on NATO and U.N. officials in the territory to nix the decision.

Russia's Foreign Ministry, lashing out within minutes of the declaration, said Russia supports Serbia's "just demands to restore the country's territorial integrity." It said nations backing Kosovo's claim were supporting separatism and would shake "the foundations of a world order that has developed over decades."

Russia claimed the declaration violates the U.N. Charter ensuring the territorial integrity of member nations and threatens "the escalation of tension and ethnic violence in the region, a new conflict in the Balkans."

Putin has built his popularity on restoring Russia's pride after a period of post-Soviet humiliation, and Moscow's firm stance on Kosovo comes amid growing Kremlin assertiveness toward the West.

Putin has held out backing for Kosovo as a glaring example of double standards and dangerous disregard for international law.

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20080217/ap_on_re_eu/russia_kosovo